First pair of binoculars recommendation?

[mevertsen]

you don't need swaro/leica/zeiss to be a successful hunter, end of story.

there is no "need" to upgrade if you start with mid or even low tier optics.

i think the reality is some people realize they'd like to upgrade their glass after their initial setups because few people can and are willing to afford top tier out of the gate, and that's fine. but it's that first upgrade point, that's the point where you really need to consider paying for alpha glass IMO.

everyone's gotta start somewhere, newer hunters or newer western hunters should just get some affordable glass and go hunting. realizing that nothing can compare to and that you should probably fork out for some alpha glass when the point comes is a rite of passage.

even then, mid tier optics do the job just fine if you let em. you just simply don't need swaros to go out, find animals, kill them, and have a good time.

This

A pair of swarovski binoculars would be half my monthly income. Good luck convincing my wife of that.

And I find deer just fine with my Leupold binoculars and spotter.

The weak link is me, not the glass.

And I really dont care about antler size.

And yes, I have looked through swarovski glass, still can't justify the cost.

 

[seeth07]

The weak link is me, not the glass.

I think that is a important thing to note.

If you are scanning the brush for coues deer in southern Arizona in January where there are hours spent behind a set of glass, maybe its the glass that is weak and not you. Otherwise I can't think of many other scenarios where the weak link is the glass.

 

[Dave N]

I don’t know if they even make them anymore, but a set of 10x42 Nikon Monarchs would not be a bad starter setup.

I have the Monarch 5s. Seem pretty good to me but I don't use them near as much as folks out west would. They can still be had for around $300.

 

[belshawelk]

I don’t know if they even make them anymore, but a set of 10x42 Nikon Monarchs would not be a bad starter setup.

Nikon got out of the hunting business. Says it was bad for business. Woke before woke was thing.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Ha. Still rocking a early 2000's vintage Leupold Wind River 10X42. With a backup. mtmuley

Didn't Nikon just drop the scopes and not the Binos, etc?

 

[MaddH]

German precision optics aren’t bad. Bought my wife a pair for when she tags along. Anywhere from $400-800 depending on what you get. For me personally I can glass longer with less eye strain with the better optics. If you’re just peaking through them quickly all the time that’s one thing. But if you’re sitting glassing from the same spot for an extended amount of time that’s a whole other ball game

 

[Schaaf]

View attachment 384599

Didn't Nikon just drop the scopes and not the Binos, etc?

Correct

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Ha. Still rocking a early 2000's vintage Leupold Wind River 10X42. With a backup. mtmuley

I still have an 8x42 set of Leupold Wind Rivers, bought in 2004 I think. It's my backup set.

 

[MNElkNut]

I would recommend starting with a $300 - $500 pair of binocs. Vortex Vipers, Leupold SX4s, Nikon Monarchs, etc. IF you decide you need to upgrade in the future, the time you spend behind the $300 pair will be invaluable in picking out the next pair. You may want 12X, 10X, 8X, range finding, this brand or that. You will try your buddies' brands and love them or hate them. and then when it is all said and done and you buy your true alpha glass, you will still have your cheaper pair for in the truck or for your wife/girlfriend/son/daughter, etc and will not worry about them being stolen. I would find it unusual for a person really into hunting to only own 1 pair of binocs.

 

[rjthehunter]

Maven would be my vote in terms of bang for your buck. B.6 10x50.

 

[MTGamecock]

Thanks, trust me I’d love to own a pair of Swaros but can’t drop that kind of $ right now. Just bought a new gun and scope, I will check that forum out. Would like to keep it around a thousand if I can help it.

Are you set for all your other western hunting gear? I know you said you are moving to WY, but does that mean you are moving to where you've always dreamt of hunting, or does it mean you are finally moving to a part of the country you have already experienced as a hunter?

I ask that because a question like "What binoculars should I buy" is tough to answer in a vacuum without knowing more details. Most all of us know what binoculars we'd buy if money were no object and we had all of our other equipment in place. If you are new to hunting elk in the Rockies, my advice would be to accompany your buddies on those hunts this year as you mentioned, get a feel for it, and then buy pricey gear like binoculars after gaining more context about what might and might not work for you. Comfortable clothes, packs, boots, knives, emergency locators, etc. are all expensive. Most of us, especially if we're having to get stocked up with gear all at once, end up sacrificing somewhere, at least initially. If I were starting from scratch and only able to hunt this year as a bystander/packer, I'd probably go to Costco and buy whatever Leupold or Vortex binocular special they are running for $150 and use that this year. That amount isn't going to break the bank. If you go out with your buddies this year and conclude that your boots will keep your feet dry and warm, that your clothing keeps you dry and warm, and that your pack(s) will carry everything you need, you can always invest $1000 - $1500 on binoculars during the off-season in anticipation of next year and use your Costco pair as a backup.

If you already have the gear and experience and the binoculars are only the last piece of the puzzle for your outfit, and $1000 is your budget, then ignore my previous paragraph and make your purchase after looking through lots of pairs.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Oh, you opened up a can of worms now didn’t you? Lol

For your very first pair of binos ever, I wouldn’t listen to these shmucks. More dollars than sense…


Instead of what should you get, which the obvious answer is some astronomically priced glass that ANY OF US would love to own, the best answer is what should you NOT GET. I’d say avoid the Costco leupolds or the $150 crossfire vortex. Even a pair of vortex diamondbacks are steps above the crossfire in comfort both on strain in the eyes and in physical touch to your face. They’re clearer and more durable and more comfortable than the bottom of the barrel vortex’s at maybe 50-100 more. If you’re in the ballpark of $300-$500 your options open up tremendously. Don’t be afraid to buy used- this forum does have some good deals if you watch the classifieds.

I killed my first deer with no camo, no binos, no rangefinder, no fancy turret scope etc etc. all I had was a WILL. I trust you’ll learn and have fun and maybe even be successful no matter what pair of binos are hanging from your chest…

 

[belshawelk]

View attachment 384599

Didn't Nikon just drop the scopes and not the Binos, etc?

True but for me if you not supporting hunters your against them. Maybe it just me.

some quotes from their marketing
“We were told to remove any hero shots of hunters with their products,” says the former marketer, who also asked not to be named. “There could be no dead animals at all in any Nikon promotional images. And then we were told there couldn’t be any people in the branding images. They wanted to show only live animals, and no dead animals. There is just no support for being a part of the blood sports.”

 

[Dinkshooter]

First off the guy recommending Swaro’s for a first pair of binos is dead wrong. You’ll be plenty fine starting out and continuing with forever more a $400 pair of Vortex Vipers or Leupold BX4’s.

False

 

[Dinkshooter]

Oh, you opened up a can of worms now didn’t you? Lol

For your very first pair of binos ever, I wouldn’t listen to these shmucks. More dollars than sense…


Instead of what should you get, which the obvious answer is some astronomically priced glass that ANY OF US would love to own, the best answer is what should you NOT GET. I’d say avoid the Costco leupolds or the $150 crossfire vortex. Even a pair of vortex diamondbacks are steps above the crossfire in comfort both on strain in the eyes and in physical touch to your face. They’re clearer and more durable and more comfortable than the bottom of the barrel vortex’s at maybe 50-100 more. If you’re in the ballpark of $300-$500 your options open up tremendously. Don’t be afraid to buy used- this forum does have some good deals if you watch the classifieds.

I killed my first deer with no camo, no binos, no rangefinder, no fancy turret scope etc etc. all I had was a WILL. I trust you’ll learn and have fun and maybe even be successful no matter what pair of binos are hanging from your chest…

My hero.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Let’s say that all binoculars cost the same, who would buy Vortex?

It’s more than price that separates good optics…

No one. These threads make my eyes hurt.

I always find these threads fascinating. People ask and then never accept the answers from other who have made the sacrifice and lived the results. I came from a a family of the biggest cheapskates in the world. That $900 I laid down for Swaro SLCs in 2003 was absolutely best the purchase I ever made.

 

[WildWill]

Bro. I bet you burn the shit plate too.

 

[antlerradar]

I fear you have become an influencer with your trendy butt wiping and use of vernacular.

I bet you don't even have your 1983 Bushnell's any more. Sad. Low light transmission. Not very good ocular fitting!

Ha. Still rocking a early 2000's vintage Leupold Wind River 10X42. With a backup. mtmuley

My first set was 80's Bushnell, Next set was the Leupolds. Spotted a lot of stuff with those two stets of binoculars.

 

[tillicant]

I have the Monarch 5s. Seem pretty good to me but I don't use them near as much as folks out west would. They can still be had for around $300.

Same here, for the week or two per year that I could use them out west, not worth the extra $ can be well spent elsewhere.

 

[NDGuy]